#Stevenage September 2019

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The unique digital magazine for Stevenage promoted by social media

Sept ember 2019

A festival What a party! farewell to summer And before we knew it was even here summer is on it s way out !

Knebwort h House which heralded in t he st art of Sept ember.

We said farewell t o t he warmer mont hs wit h a fant ast ic fest ival event Cool Brit annia at

See inside for pict ure special and all t he best in #St evenage news and feat ures

Clair e Au st in (lef t ) w it h Lou ise Yexley

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What's on in

#Stevenage The summer isalmost behind us now, but that doesn't mean we can still find time for a little relax from the everyday.

STEVENAGE 10K Spon sor ed by #St even age

FIGHT NIGHT Act ion even in g ah ead

September isalso the time when we start to make plans again, whether it be at work or in our own lives, planning for Christmasand 2020, or even just some treatsahead. We're delighted to highlight some great nights at The Cromwell Hotel and the IBISHotel in this edition, and of course our friendsat Mr Mulligans golf have an October showcase of all their Christmas offerings. if you have a story you think that we should tell then don't forget to contact usat the addresses below.

And of course if you are a business which islooking to really get your name out there through the powerful medium of digital and social media then make sure that you advertise with usand see uspromote your products and services to the people of #Stevenage. Digital allows people to read about you on the go - on their mobiles for instance, and they are also just a click away.

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PAUL FRY on # St evenage

Putting the pressure on pensioners When my father died, my first thoughts were that he would never get to see his young grandchildren grow up, and that at 59, he never lived to enjoy his retirement.

Cheated of his Biblical three score years and ten, he also never got to draw on the pension he would have been due six months after he died, despite an unbroken work record that began as a baker, working nights, mostly at Pearce's in Marymead.

I was reminded of this by reports of an influential Conservative think-tank suggestion that the retirement age should be progressively lifted to 75 because we are all, rather inconveniently, living longer and have this annoying habit of wanting to draw on the funds we have set aside from our wage packets for more than 40 years.

Indeed many of those hitting retirement now contributed longer as they left school at 14 or 15. And I have not even mentioned the abhorrent rush to remove pension rights of millions of women by shifting their retirement age from 60-65 to match that of men.

The proposal by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), whose main mouthpiece is Iain Duncan Smith, is that, in line with rising life expectancy, the threshold for the state pension should rise to 70 by 2028 and then to 75 by 2035 for both men and women.

What such carte blanche pronouncements ignore, somewhat conveniently, are the basic inequalities across our land.

If you live in Poole, Dorset, where life expectancy is 84 for men, you can look forward to 17 years of retirement with a state pension.

If, however, you live in Glasgow, where the figure is 73, you can expect just six years and a meagre five by the time the state pension age rises to 68. In some inner-city London boroughs, the life expectancy figure is lower.

And the CSJ study also sidesteps 2019 research for the UK pensions and insurance industries, that estimates men who are now 65 will die at 86.9 years on average. This is DOWN from 2018?s estimate of 87.4 years. The average age for women now 65 is 89.2, DOWN from 89.7 years. In fact, after years of austerity, projections of life expectancy are

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down by 13 months compared with 2015.

It must be said this may not be Tory policy at the moment - but people who have paid attention during the last 10 years would not bet against it finding its way into a manifesto this autumn.

At one time it wasn?t Government policy to increase the pension age to 68; it wasn?t government policy to deny women born in the 1950s the chance to retire when they thought they would - and it didn?t used to be Government policy to impose Universal Credit on people.

Lots of policies begin life as think tank reports. And this particular think tank was founded by former Work and Pensions boss Duncan Smith and is reported to be favoured by Boris Johnson.

In a discussion on the Stevenage Forum on Facebook, lots of people responded how they did a demanding job and could not see how they could get to 75 before retiring.

Maureen Wilmot said: ?I'm 75, fit, healthy and active and retired at 65. ?Physically and mentally I could have worked longer but you tire

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far more easily as you age, and the chances are you could be suffering from a raft of problems which would no longer enable you to carry out even basic tasks. ?It is a ridiculous idea to ask the workforce to continue working to that age, particularly those jobs requiring physical strength. I know when the retirement age was first introduced people were generally expected to die within the first five years and that now the expected

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life span has increased it will thrust an extra burden on those working. ?However, it should be remembered that a lot of retired people started work at 15 years of age had worked already for a good nine years before reaching the age that the young appear to start work now.?

And Ally Brown pointed out that she works with two-and threeyears-olds and could not imagine

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running round after them in her advanced years.

Johanna Halsall put the case for those doing supposedly 'easier' desk-bound jobs, saying: ?I'm a computer programmer. Suspect I will have programmed myself out of a job by the time I'm 75.?

Caroline Rook is one of the many women who had to work an extra five years and two months past 60 to get her pension. ?I worked 12-hour shifts in a forensic mental

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health unit on the wards, where you have to be fit to be able to restrain. ?For the past two years I was on nights in reception, due to sustaining injuries to my neck, shoulders and arms and could not work on the wards any longer. Still doing 12- hour shifts. It was exhausting as the phones rang constantly and there were admissions 24/7. I struggled so much the last few months. No one can work in that sort of environment ? let alone until they are 75.?

This whole subject needs serious debate, no matter which way you come at it. The baby-boom demographics are such that the state pensions bill is ballooning.

The Office of Budget Responsibility says UK spending on state pensions in 2017-18 was £93.8bn ? the equivalent of building HS2 every year ? rising to £96.6bn in 2018-19, or 12pc of total public spending (4.6pc of national income).

And it is not like the UK state pension is particularly generous in broader terms. The minimum French pension is £130 a week and the maximum is around £340 a week.

In Germany, most workers? pension insurance payments are compulsory but there is no statutory minimum, maximum or full pension.

The full state pension in the UK is now between £125 and £165 a week, depending on when you were born and your National

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Insurance contributions. This doesn?t include any additional state pension, pension credit, or other benefits.

My own theory is that this think-tank release is a classic Tory move... they float 75, people shoot it down, so they downplay it to 70 and people think, 'well that's not so bad'.

Ultimately it is a matter of choices; of priorities. Tough decisions, definitely. And unfortunately governments these days instinctively shy away from the tough ones that will likely alienate voters. It is a dereliction of duty.

Is it not right that we look after those who have given up such a large portion of their life for the common good?

The pensions issue is closely linked with a rising social care bill and how that should be paid. It has to be grasped but cost Theresa May her Parliamentary majority at the last election when the Tories tried to bring in a 'dementia tax'.

It is also linked to the housing crisis, because too many people see buying and letting a house as a way to top up an inadequate state pension - and far more effective than a private or company pension plan, given the number who have been robbed by unscrupulous trustees and company bosses.

I know several former Mirror Group pensioners whose retirements were wrecked by Robert Maxwell, while my mum who worked for BHS in Stevenage, was fortunate she had already retired and so not unduly affected

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as so many employees were when Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green reneged on his pension responsibilities. Then of course there was Carillion.

The state pension is not great but it will at least be there. If we live long enough.

I get that many will say we should all provide for our old age if we want a quality retirement and to be in control of when we step back from work. Others will say that work is good for keeping the brain ticking over, adding to a healthy mix in later years.

Both are valid arguments. But the solution should never contribute to the detriment of other people's lives, with so many are living in poor quality, overpriced buy-to-lets with no prospect of a settled home of their own. More social housing is long overdue And working on later in life should always be a matter of choice.

I am somewhat fearful of my own impending retirement in a few years' time, though I am sure I will want to do something to keep the grey matter turning over.

Keeping moving undoubtedly has its benefits, too. I remember one old boy we called the 'tap-tap man' because he'd walk up and down past our home several times a day, his stick tapping the pavement. He was well into his 80s.

There will always be those like my dad who fall short of the prescribed retirement age, no matter what it is. But the mere suggestion of hiking it to 75 is simply risible.

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New bioscience boost Kadans expands its presence in the United Kingdom by adding its second research hub in the country to its Pan-European science park portfolio with a new development in Stevenage.

Kadans acquired Sycamore House from GSK. It is a 9,640 sqm industrial and warehouse building, located directly adjacent to Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (?SBC?), and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Manufacturing Centre (?CGTCMC?).

Kadans will redevelop and extend Sycamore House into a modern, vibrant, multi-tenanted R&D facility with expected completion mid-2021.

The building will provide grow-on space for overflowing demand from SBC and CGTCMC. Discussions with potential occupiers are now being progressed, in collaboration with SBC, to ensure that the offering is built to suit the needs of the

campus community.

Situated in the heart of the Golden Triangle, centrally between Cambridge and London, the cluster benefits from good connectivity with established knowledge centres and a skilled workforce in close proximity. The facility will build on the strengths of the collaborative ecosystem based at Stevenage and support the further growth of the globally significant cell and gene therapy community.

Kadans and SBC will collaborate to develop the campus ecosystem through new initiatives and value-add services. The aim will be to support the cross-campus community both locally as well as internationally, using the networks and reach of both organisations. ?We are delighted with this announcement and to work with Kadans as a long-term investor and developer in research

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intensive clusters. There is a shared understanding of the support required to help scientific communities to thrive.

"The campus is an established ecosystem of companies that have raised almost ÂŁ1bn of investment. The redevelopment of Sycamore House is an exciting new chapter in the expansion of this cluster in Stevenage, " said Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, CEO, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst By adding Sycamore House to the portfolio, Kadans is furthering its aspiration to create one strong knowledge-sharing ecosystem of science parks across Europe. The portfolio now comprises 23 properties and 4 projects under development in the Netherlands, UK and Germany.

Kadans was supported in this transaction by Creative Places specialist R&D real estate consultants. Mills & Reeve acted as legal advisors for Kadans.

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Town getting ready to promote benefits of Entrepreneurship Week From the 12-18 November, Global Entrepreneurship Week inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators.

And Stevenage will be among a host of major towns and cities which will be helping to highlight and promote this key event.

These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors? introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.

This year, GEWUK is joining forces with a group of leading enterprise and entrepreneurship organisations to provide participants and hosts with targetted content and support in the areas that are of most importance for entrepreneurs. We're helping the UK map their entrepreneurial journey. Find out more about the GEW Compass Points throughout the site.

Last year in the UK hundreds of partner organisations hosted around hundreds of events that reached more than 340,000 entrepreneurial people across the country.

If there?s ever a time to make it happen, it?s during Global Entrepreneurship Week!

The challenge is simple: while more than half of the population consistently say they would like to start their own business, less than 5% ever do.

W hy GEW and why ent repreneurship?

Entrepreneurs fuel economic growth, by creating jobs and improving communities through the creation of new products and services. But in the UK, although around one-third of the adult population say that they

would like to set up their own business, only 7% ever do.

Mass participation in activities designed to promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking have proven outcomes in addressing these issues and helping aspiring or prospective entrepreneurs to get started GEWUK is the perfect vehicle to engage more people into the transformative power of entrepreneurship.

Global: The UK sits at the heart of a vibrant community of 150 countries participating in the campaign, offering participants unparalleled opportunities to connect globally. As we enter uncertain times for UK business, these global connections are more important than ever.

Ent repreneurship: Our campaign celebrates all kinds of entrepreneurship, from the sole traders and business owners who keep the UK moving to the next Richard Branson and everyone in between.

Week Seven days to get the whole country talking about entrepreneurship and business - and still it does not?t feel like enough time,. The week long nature of the campaign gives us and our partners plenty of opportunities to reach the right people and lots of

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time for the right people get involved in the campaign.

UK Trends Entrepreneurial ambitions are even more acute among certain demographic groups ? particularly among young people and women.

Young people in the UK are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults.

More than twice as many men start up businesses as women.

Mass participation in activities designed to promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking has proven outcomes in addressing these issues. Global Entrepreneurship Week ? which began life in the UK back in 2004 as Enterprise Week ? is the world?s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship and is

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recognised by organisations all over the UK as the highlight of the entrepreneurship calendar.

As a result of t he 2015 campaign: 86% of participants said that they felt more confident about starting a business or making their business a success 74% of participants said they are more likely to start a business 63% of participants who were not entrepreneurs said that they had gained a new business idea or been inspired 54% of participants said that they had acquired new skills 50% of entrepreneur participants said that they had made new contacts to help them in their business

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Cycling fest a success

This year's Stevenage Cycling Festival took place between 17-25 August 2019 and included multiple events at venues across Stevenage for cyclists of all abilities and ages.

Now in its third year, the festival featured a Family Fun Day on Sunday 18 August at Hampson Park Community Centre. The event aims to get children and families more excited about cycling, educate people about Stevenage's unique cycle network and promote overall health and well-being.

The Family Fun day, was opened at 12pm by Deputy Mayor Councillor Jim Brown and included a number of activities such as a kids learn to ride course; balance bike training; and a try-out zone for toddlers.

As well as family activities, there were also rides suited to more experienced riders, with routes up to twenty-five miles long.

Cllr Richard Henry, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Leisure at Stevenage Borough Council said: "Cycling is a

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great way to stay fit and explore our town. The aim of this event is to promote cycling and its many health benefits and to attract families as well as cycling enthusiasts. A great feature of Stevenage is its cycle routes, and this is a fantastic way to invite everybody in the town to take part."

The rides were hosted by qualified instructors from Stevenage Cycle Hub, Hertfordshire Cycling, British Cycling Breeze and Cycling UK.

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ARK team ready to give clients peace of mind The Team at A R K Last ing Powers & W ills are qualified t o act as W ill, Last ing Power of At t orney and Funeral Plan consult ant s. They are regulat ed by t he Societ y of W ill W rit ers. You can have peace of mind knowing t hat your needs will be looked aft er by a professional company wit h all t he processes, syst ems and insurances in place t hat are necessary in order t o ensure t hat you and your family will be prot ect ed from t he worst . Comment ing on t he t eam, Karen Greenall (pict ured far right ) said: "Our et hos is t hat want t o focus on t he local communit y and on helping local people.? ?We are a professional but caring service. I have been in cust omer service all my life and have an NVQ in cust omer service, as well as W ill indust ry relat ed qualificat ions. Those who use A R K know t hat it is a very personal service ? we get t o know our client s and offer a friendly, jargon-free service. There is absolut ely no pressure t o buy when you are speaking t o any of our consult ant s.?

Amazingly around 66% of t he populat ion don?t have a W ill and while t here are some circumst ances and scenarios where t hey not so import ant , people should always double check what would happen wit hout a W ill before deciding not t o make one. Sadly, even when people do realise t hat t hey should make a W ill t o prot ect t heir family, it is always a backburner job.

As Karen confirms, W ills can be essent ial for many people in a number of circumst ances saying: "W hen you have children, appoint ing guardians is vit al and oft en couples don't underst and t hat t he way t heir est at e will go can be dependent on t he order in which t hey die. If you have children from different relat ionships t hings can easily go wrong. A

W ill is needed t o t ry t o prot ect propert y from t hird part ies such as care cost s and new part ner scenarios.?

A R K can also assist wit h Last ing Powers of At t orney. Alt hough associat ed wit h t he older populat ion and Alzheimer's or dement ia; loss of ment al capacit y can be as a result of an accident or st roke at a younger age. W hen ment al capacit y is lost all account s belonging t o t hat person are frozen, and it t akes a long and expensive court process t o get t hose account s freed up. If you have a Last ing Power of At t orney in place before you lose capacit y all of t hat st ress for your family will be avoided.

The provisions of Probat e services is offered in conjunct ion wit h a firm of solicit ors, but t he t eam at A R K hold an init ial meet ing wit h t he client t o give advice, and t o gat her informat ion and document s.

They are aut horised t o act as consult ant s for bot h Dignit y and Safe Hands Funeral plans and offer no obligat ion home visit s t o explain t he opt ions t hat are available. www.arkpowers.com info@arkpowers.com

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Crucial Crew planning for new safety centre A new Safet y Cent re is planned for St evenage,.

Currently there are eight local 'Crucial Crew' schemes in Hertfordshire - these are both Organisation and Service intensive - also, they are limited to an audience of Year 6 children (10 and 11 year olds) - of whom, around 10,500 attend each year.

At the moment, schemes exist in Hertford/Ware, St Albans, Bishops Stortford, Welwyn GC/Hatfield, Hitchin/N. Herts., Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Broxbourne/Cheshunt. There is no scheme in Watford or Three Rivers.

Stevenage was the first of the eight schemes, and has now run for 28 years. During this time over 42,000 local children have attended this scheme alone. In total, over 250,000 Yr6 children have visited a Crucial Crew scheme from Hertfordshire's junior schools.

Each child is given a Workbook containing follow-up work to their visit. A visit is of two hours duration, and fits in with the school day, lunchtime, and afternoon collection time from their school.

The Centre will be on two floors - the Ground Floor will accommodate the majority of Crucial Crew scenarios - the first floor will offer training rooms, a small tiered-seating auditorium, larger Conference/Training Rooms that may be hired - the income from which will help to support the Centre's maintenance costs, and ensure sustainability. To assist with this, it is intended to install solar and wind-power sources, rainwater harvesting, and to utilise eco-friendly building materials, etc.

Funding for the internal fit-out costs is anticipated to come from a variety of sources - primarily Central Government, European Government, National Lottery, major Corporate industries, Philanthropists, local Authorities, Grants, Trusts, the PCC - and many other sources.

Not all sponsorship is through financial donations e.g. some will come as Volunteer time and skills, students, corporate staff secondment, also the donation of materials and labour.

A new, permanent Safety Centre, will be able to deliver many more scenarios to all age groups - our intended market is 3yrs to 103yrs.

Are you able to support our endeavours with the process of providing, for the residents of Hertfordshire and beyond, a permanent interactive Safety Education Centre, based in Stevenage?

This will be a multi-purpose Centre that is available to other agencies and organisations, all with the intention to deliver safety messages, and to thereby make individuals, and thus Hertfordshire, a safer place.

If you or your organisation would like to be involved, then please contact Alex Lang by email info@hertfordshirecrucialcrew.org.uk - to discuss in further detail.

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It's a sell-out! Waiting list for Stevenage Striders 10k event

The new Stevenage Striders 10k event is now full and there is a waiting list for those looking to run in the race this month.

You would have to go back to 1995 to find the last time a 10K road race was offered to all members of the public. In more recent years we have had the Race for Life for ladies. This gave us the germ of the idea to launch the Stevenage 10K and coupled with encouragement fro Councillor Simon Speller and Sport Stevenage we set the date, 15/9/2019.

We wanted to focus on a race

route in Stevenage that would be safe for runners but at the same time celebrate areas of the town that many enjoy but often, unfortunately, take for granted the parks. It seemed so apt to use Hampson Park as our park for the start and finish. The park is named after Tom Hampson who won the gold medal in the 800 metres at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics in 1932, setting a world record in the process. In 1954 he moved to Stevenage and worked for the development corporation.

The race route leaves Hampson

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Park before entering and passing through a circuit of the north end of Fairlands Valley near the totem pole maze and bridge and then through King George V Park, millennium gardens, the war memorial, high street and pretty Avenue. It utilises the towns famous cycleway network.

The Stevenage 10K has been set up to encourage the local population to get their running shoes on, take part in this community event and take on the course! For many, this builds on to their regular running of the ever

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popular Stevenage 5K ParkRun. Whilst there will be members of local running clubs taking part, the expectation is that the majority of participants will be keen runners who are not part of a running club.

Stevenage Striders are organising the event and are very grateful to the support they have received from the main sponsors and supporters - Wagstaffs accountants, ASK Physio, odyssey sports club, Mather Marshall Knebworth and Stevenage Community Trust. The latter have been a regular supporter of Stevenage Supporters throughout the period since the club was launched in 2013.

The race is limited to 400 entries in its inaugural year but it is expected to grow each year. Part of the proceeds from the race will be donated to the two elected charities for 2019 - TRACKS autism and Stevenage and Community Trust.

The money raised for charity will be a key theme for the race and is expected to grow year on year as the race grows.

Runners in the race receive a finishers t shirt and bespoke medal.

There will also be a free cake stall for runners, with donations also being taken for TRACKS autism.

Runners can also expect spot prizes.

Trophies will be awarded to the first three men ad ladies, as well as those winning their age category. The race starts and runners will be set off by the mayor of Stevenage. http://stevenagestridersrc.org.uk

Organising race committee Marc Hagland, Lisa Liversidge, Phil Deaves and Chris Leigh.

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360 Play is excit ed t o announce t hat we are host ing a Parent and Toddler Fayre at 360 Play on Wednesday 11t h Sept ember.

This is a great opport unit y for local families t o browse st alls from local businesses, find out more about local t oddler classes and nurseries and so much more!

Wedding and party package There?s all t he usual 360 Play fun t o be had t oo making it a great day out for young families.

If you are a local business or baby or t oddler service, support group, nursery or anyt hing baby and t oddler relat ed and would like t o find out more about t aking part , please message us via Facebook or get in t ouch, cent remanagerst @ 360play.uk.com t o find out more Read, en joy an d sh ar e

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Sponsored by #Stevenage

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Just the business Looking for something different for your next corporate event, or Christmas party?

WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED! Mr Mulligans is the par-fect venue for your next corporate event. Choose from some seriously great packages or exclusive venue hire that takes

your corporate event to the next level.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? You are invited to attend our Christmas Showcase on 3rd October from 5:30pm - 7:30pm - Come and see everything we have to offer. Get in touch to receive your invite.

NEXT SHOWCASE Th u r sday Oct ober 3 5.30pm - 7.30pm

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A meal at Mr Mulligan's At Mr Mulligan's Lost World of Golf you celebrat e any special occasion by playing a round.

And along wit h a great game, you can also have a great meal t hanks t o a new cafĂŠ upgrade.

They are now serving hot dogs, paninis, wraps, sharing plat es and kids meals.

You can also creat e your own sundae and creat e your milkshake. W het her it 's our 11 Thursday night Dat e Night s or a family day out for big and lit t le kids of all ages, you know t he answer, make it Mr Mulligans!

For full updat ed informat ion on t his and all event s which are coming up at Mr Mulligan's Lost World of Golf head t o our Facebook page ht t ps:// www.facebook.com/

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Tollers help you through the dispute process To Lit igat e or Mediat e t hat is t he quest ion?

Unfortunately, almost all of us will be involved in a dispute of some kind or other in our lives. You may have purchased something that is not working correctly or received a service which is not to the required standard.

Tollers Solicitors Dispute Resolution team in Stevenage has a wealth of experience not only in advising clients on the merits of their claim and the court process, but also in resolving disputes through using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Here Nicholas Phillips from the team looks at the alternative options available to you should you decide to pursue a claim.

Nicol a Hol t on ? Senior Associat e, Duncan Nichol son ? Managing Part ner , Trist an Benson ? Part ner and Head of Disput e Resol ut ion, Vict oria Graham ? Sol icit or , Nichol as Phil l ips ? Senior Associat e.

W hat are t he alt ernat ives?

The most common alternatives are adjudication, mediation, arbitration or negotiation.

Adjudicat ion Adjudication is widely recognised as the ?pay now, argue later?mechanism for resolving disputes. It is generally used to resolve construction disputes and is designed to protect cash flow for business, by preventing one party withholding cash payments for significant periods of time.

Mediat ion Mediation is becoming the most common method of Alternative Dispute Resolution. It involves appointing a neutral independently trained mediator whose aim is to try and narrow the issues in dispute, with the ultimate view of achieving a settlement. The intervention of a third party mediator can often help the parties to take a step back and consider matters with more objectivity.

Arbit rat ion During an arbitration, an impartial professional is instructed to make a decision on the dispute. The decision of the arbitrator is binding on the parties and there are limited grounds to appeal any decision. Arbitration is generally quicker than pursuing matters through the Court process.

Negot iat ion Negotiations will generally be the first port of call when trying to resolve a dispute. They can take many forms including discussion between parties, calls between instructed solicitors or even a round table meeting between the parties. Negotiation can be the quickest and cheapest means of resolving matters, however, the parties must engage with the process and be willing to compromise.

W hy should you look t o resolve mat t ers t hrough alt ernat ive met hods?

The main reason, as with most things, is cost. Litigating matters through to a contested trial can be a costly process and incredibly time consuming. For businesses especially, it can be very disruptive.

There is an expectation from the courts that parties will engage in some form of ADR before going to trial. A failure to do this, or an unreasonable refusal can result in costly consequences for a party. In our experience, more disputes are settling these days by way of negotiation or mediation, and parties should certainly consider these options before engaging in the costly court process. Having clear advice on what the best options are for you can help to save time and costs. If you would like more information on your options ? t alk t o Tollers on 01438 901095 and Nicholas and t he t eam will be happy t o assist .

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On the final journey Funeral t ransport : Making your last journey personal There are many sayings in life about journeys and travel. A journey is a common metaphor for life itself and they form the basis of numerous inspirational quotes.

But we?re also a generation of physical globetrotters. We plot where we want to go, what we want to do; we have scratch maps to complete, bucket lists to fulfil.

So the final journey we make after we?ve passed away is, surely, just as significant. By choosing a mode of transport and a route to take to the final resting place, which are personal to the deceased, a funeral can feel more about their life than their death. It?s not about going into the dark and unknown, but celebrating life and creating more memories.

Our blog on personalising funerals [link to personalising funerals blog] touched on transport, but here we?ll look at it in more depth.

Why is funeral transport so significant?

There are two aspects to personalising funeral transport.

Firstly, it allows the deceased to travel in a way that is very personal to them, whether this is

by their own planning before they pass away, or down to friends and family fulfilling their wishes on their behalf. This might be in a vehicle they owned themselves, something they loved going in, or perhaps even always wanted to experience!

There was a story in the news recently of a man who?s dying wish it was to have his coffin transported in the bucket of the JCB he drove for 30 years. There are some beautiful pictures online of the JCB taking him on the short journey from his home to the funeral, followed by his family and friends on foot. (https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/24/ granddad-taken-funeralbucket-jcb-9294632/) The second aspect is about those left behind. Depending on the transport chosen, they can walk alongside, drive, or, in the case of a hand pulled bier, even carry their loved one themselves and be beside them right until the end. In some cases, following a traditional black hearse in a funeral car may feel quite distant and unfamiliar for the bereaved, perhaps even a bit stressful. It?s important to see how something as seemingly insignificant as the transport can

help our stress and mental attitude at such a difficult time. [link to funeral stress blog] A study by the Co-op revealed that more and more people want their funerals to be personal and celebratory affairs with Land Rovers and rainbow-hued vehicles to take them to their final resting places ? and companies are responding to these wishes up and down the country!

W hat t ypes of t ransport are available?

At Austin?s, we can arrange various modes of transport and always do our best to make your wishes happen. Aside from our traditional black hearses and limousines, we can offer?

A motorbike hearse with a sidecar for the coffin A VW campervan, A variety of different model Land Rovers A 1950 vintage lorry A hand pulled coffin bier, which has been in the Austin?s family for generations A horse-drawn carriage with black or white horses

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Wedding and party package Can you af f ord t o miss t he Forum's wedding package?

As l ong as booking is made by t he end of t his year wit h deposit paid it can be used f or t he ent ire 2020.

For a remarkabl e ÂŁ3,000 you can have excl usive use of t he f ul l suit e upst airs incl uding Fairview suit e. Incl udes: -

Room f rom 10am-midnight Cat ers up t o 500 Ful l use of t he kit chen and abil it y t o bring in booze and f ood.

Incl ude securit y 1 hot el room Col our t heme upl ight ers and use of screens f or phot os

For part ies, weddings recept ions, birt hdays and charit y event s we are t he venue f or you.

Book by Sept ember 30 2019 and use t his t o t he end of 2019.

Part y package incl udes: -

Noon - Midnight Ext ended bar l icence on appl icat ion ÂŁ500 per room, accommodat e 200 peopl e.

Can increase capacit y by booking a second room f or a 50% discount .

Incl udes dance f l oor, securit y, t abl e l inen and bar st af f , upl ight er and screens.

Cal l us now on 01438 779955

And how about our amazing part y package?

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Book the best conference facilities for your business

Do you want t he very best f or your business?

The Forum Conf erence and Banquet ing Suit es in St evenage of f er t he f inest f acil it ies and t he best rat es - and we now have a special booking of f er which wil l al l ow you t o book f rom now unt il April 30 2020.

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Dail y Del egat e rat e - f rom just ÂŁ25 f or a minimum of 10 peopl e Every 10t h person is f ree and a bot t l e of f izz f or t he booker.

Ideal meet ing space f or 20 peopl e, af t ernoon t ea cof f ee and cakes and l unch

Arrival t ea cof f ee and f resh baked past ries avail abl e Take a break wit h mid-morning t ea, cof f ee and biscuit s Af t ernoon hot and col d working buf f et l unch avail abl e Af t ernoon t ea, cof f ee and a sweet t reat f or al l del egat es Al l bookings incl ude f ul l use of st at ionery, room hire and equipment hire

Quot e Code: Forumbiz19 Cal l 01438 779955 and book now

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Brilliant businesses in High Street need you After our amazingly successful piece in our last edition on Middle Row and the independent shops in that area, we have turned our focus on other shops in Stevenage High Street.

The shares and likes we have gained by putting these businesses in the spotlight has been amazing, so don't forget make sure if you need a product or a service which they offer head down to them and keep them in business in #Stevenage

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Phot ography by Brendan Fal vey

If you have enjoyed t hese images of #St evenage by Brendan Falvey and would like t o find out how t o order t hem cont act on t he det ails supplied here

Email: bjpfalvey@gmail.com Search for Bren's Phot o's on Facebook

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For r esult s t oday speak t o t he com m unicat ion exper t s at Spit f ir ePR Media rel at ions

Copy writ ing

Social media market ing

Media t raining

Market ing

Crisis management

Proud publ i sh er of #Herts @h ash tagh erts For al l your mark eti ng and soci al medi a needs: 07539 782979 w w w .spi tf i repr.com darren@spi tf i repr.com @DarrenI sted1 @h ash tagh erts

What 's on in # STEVENAGE INS: Every Friday afternoon, So Healthy, a gentle exercise class takes place from 1.30pm to 2.30pm at Bedwell Community Centre. Please contact the INS for more information on 01438 725400 or emailinfo@irishnetworkstevenage.org.ukor follow the group on Facebook or Twitter.

St evenage Fl oral Art Societ y: Call Margaret 01438 880086 for more details.

St evenage Liberal Synagogue: For further information phone 01438 300222 or visitstevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com St evenage Fibromyal gia Support Group:Meet on the second Wednesday evening, 7.30 to 9.30pm, and last Tuesday of the month, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, at Poplars Community Hall. A weekly coffee drop in from 1pm to 3pm takes place on Wednesdays at Encore Coffee House, in the foyer of the Gordon Craig Theatre. Call the helpline 0844 8872 373 or 355 for more info. All welcome.

St Andrew and St George:Parish Mass on Sunday at 10am. A toddler group takes place on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm. All welcome. For further details please email Kimcuttylanegroups@gmail.com.Morning Prayer Monday to Thursday at 9.30 am. Weekday Masses on Monday at 10am, Tuesday at 12.30pm and Thursday at 10am. Compline at 8:30 pm on Thursdays. For more information visitwww.stevenagechurch.org.

Debt ors Anonymous:Meetings are held every

Tuesday evening at 8pm at The Living Room, No 15 The Glebe, Chells Way. For more information visit:www.debtorsanonymous.org.uk St evenage Corey?s Mil l Lions Cl ub:Lion are part of the world's largest community based Service Organisation and are looking for more members to assist with the work in the community as volunteers. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month in Symonds Green starting at 7.45pm. Membership fee is nominal. To find out more call 01438 489247 or 07903 444052 or visit the group on Facebook.

St arl ight Dance Academy:Adult tap dance classes, for all ages, with a fully qualified teacher take place from 1.15pm every Friday at the Community and Arts Pavilion, Roaring Meg Retail Park, Stevenage.

Age Concern, St evenage:Pop in for a cuppa every Monday, 10am to 12pm, at Swingate House. Age Concerns provides bookings for Britannia Coaches,a hire service for mobility scooters and wheelchairs during opening hours. Free 20-minute appointments for benefits and legal advice, and a footcare clinic are held every Tuesday and Thursday (fee payable). Age Concern's offices are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm and Thursday 9.30am to 1.30pm, ground floor, Swingate House, Stevenage town centre.Call01438 314164 for more.

St evenage Museum:St George?s Way, Stevenage, hosts a wide range of events throughout the year for families, children and adults. Open 10am to 4.30pm Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday. Call 01438 218881 or emailmuseum@stevenage.gov.ukfor more.

Cycl e UK St evenage:Starter cycle rides will set off from Costello?s Cafe by the Sailing Centre in Fairlands Valley Park at 10.30am every Saturday.

Evening rides from the green by Springfield House Community Centre take place every Wednesday at 7.15pm. For more information go towww.stevenagectc.org.ukor call Jim on 07939 687509 or Jill on 07816 625901.

What 's on in # STEVENAGE St evenage Writ ers:Meet every Wednesday from 5.30pm to 7pm in The Snug Bar at The Dun Cow, Letchmore Road, Stevenage. Mutual support for writers at all levels, something for everyone. Next two months the group is working on getting their Annual together. For more details contact Tony Burtonponytailpoet@gmail.com.

Pl ay Go:Takes place every Tuesday from 7.30pm in Letchworth or Stevenage on alternate weeks.

Persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. For more information, visithttp:/ / www.letchworth-go.org.uk/ letchgo St Hugh and St John's Church: Blaze Youth Club for anyone aged 7 to 14 takes place every Thursday during term-time from 5.45pm to 7.15pm. Have fun playing games, sports, making crafts, baking, cooking, and art, The first Thursday of the month is family night where families are invited to come for a meal and a short service. ÂŁ1.50 per week.

Roundabout ers Count ry Dance Cl ub:English country dancing every Thursday, 8pm to 10pm, at Friends Meeting House, Cuttys Lane SG1 1UP. Newcomers are always welcome, both beginners and experienced dancers. To find out more call 01438 727239, visitwww.roundabouters.org.ukor just come along.

St evenage Bridge Cl ub:New players are needed at Stevenage Bridge Club and Springfield House Friday Bridge Club. Stevenage Bridge Club meets at 7.30pm to play Duplicate Bridge at the Priory Nursery, Stanmore Road, Old Stevenage. Contact Phil Cooper on 0795 7813434. Springfield House Friday Bridge Club meet on Friday afternoons at 1.30pm to play cut-in Chicago Bridge at Springfield House. Contact Richard Bean on 01438 221517.

Mol l y Vickers School of Dance:Lessons in Ballet, Tap, Freestyle and Contemporary at Bedwell Community Centre, Stevenage. For children (18 months+) and adults, first trial class is free! For more details call Lisa Holt on (01438) 723450 or Stacey Hurst on (01438) 315580.

Oval Communit y Circl e:Come along to a free social

group held on the first Thursday of the month anytime between 9:30am and 11am at the Oval Community Centre, Vardon Road. For more information contactenquiries@ovalcommunity.comor 01438 359404.

Love t o Dance:Fun and friendly sessions for anyone aged 50 and over take place every Friday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Hampson Park Community Centre, Webb Rise, Stevenage, SG1 5QU. Just ÂŁ5.50 per session. For more information call 0203 675 7215 or emailclarebellchambers@saracens.net St evenage Spirit ual Group:Meet every Sunday (except Bank Holidays) at Springfield House, Stevenage Old Town. Sunday meetings take place from 7.30pm till 9pm with a different Medium each week. All welcome.

Just Sing Communit y Choir:Come along and sing every Thursday during term time from 7pm to 9pm, at Grace Community Church. Hydean Way, Stevenage. First taster session free and no auditions are required. Contact 07785568463 or visit the websitewww.justsingcc.org.uk Pil at es:Sessions take place at Datchworth Village Hall on Thursdays from 1.30pm to 2.30pm/ Beginners are recommended to attend an introductory class. Call 07732897404 for more information.

Wou ld you lik e t o pr om ot e you r gr ou p or even t f or f r ee?

Do you w an t t o sh ow t h e people of #St even age you r gr ou p in act ion ?

Sen d you r copy an d pict u r es t o dar r en @spit f ir epr .com an d w e w ill do ou r best t o pu blish t h em in Wh at 's on in #St even age

Join the SportScene team There is a new radio show on the circuit that any sports fan in the area would be mad to miss.

SportScene started broadcasting their weekly show earlier in August on SG1 radio, the online radio station broadcasting live from their studio in Stevenage Town Centre.

Presented by Steve Watkins, Jay Drackford and Dean Thompson, there is a wealth of local sporting knowledge that has been tapped into, with the trio aiming to showcase any sport local to the area.

Steve Watkins said ?It was an idea that was dreamed up by Jay, who quickly shared his thoughts with myself and Dean, and we were hooked. We went to station owner Ray Medwynter and he loved the idea, and two weeks later we were live on air! ?In the first show we were honoured to have former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson as a guest, speaking about his charity, the Welwyn Garden City based

?Willow Foundation?, and his golf tournament recently held at Hanbury Manor. ?The response has been phenomenal in the early days. We have had local clubs represented, with sports including Football, Netball, Running, Iron-Man, Cricket Rugby and Cylcling, and have even included the great work being done with the Aqualina Synchronised Swimming club. ?It has so far been a case of building relationships with the clubs, so that we can follow their fortunes in the future. But we are also keen to get involved ourselves, with Jay already running the local Park Run, and Dean is lined up to have an evening of Synchronised Swimming, which of course will be covered on the show! ?We still need to hear from any new clubs with a story to tell, whether it be news, results, fixtures or events, and we are happy to speak on the phone, get guests into the studio , or simply

read out any news from a club. The aim is to cover ANY local sport, without prejudice or bias. Where at all possible of course!?

The show can be contacted at any time via email at sportscene@sg1radio.co.uk, via twitter @sg1sportscene, or on the SG1 Radio Facebook Page.

The show is broadcast every Wednesday evening between 9-10pm, and can be accessed at www. sg1radio.co.uk, on mobile phones by downloading the SG1 Radio app, via tune-in radio on a smart device such as sonos or alexa, and is also now being broadcast live with video on Facebook, which has added an extra dimension, and encouraged interaction from the sportspeople of the area.

Previous shows can also be played again, with links on Facebook and Twitter.

For further details, contact the team at sportscene@sg1radio.co.uk

Make the most of the Unlimited Card to enjoy Cineworld benefits ENJOY UNLIMITED FILMS Watch all the films you can handle at any Cineworld for just one monthly fee SAVE ON SNACKS AND DRINKS Get 10% off all in-cinema food and drink. Plus get 10% off at Cineworld Starbucks licensed stores.

ACCESS TO PREVIEWS Be the first to see a movie with special Unlimited member advance screenings SAVE ON EVENT CINEMA We don?t just show movies. You can also get selected discounts on live Opera, National Theatre, live sport and gigs PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP After a year we?ll upgrade you to a premium membership for free, giving you 25% off in-cinema food

and drink and unlimited 3D movies at no extra cost

Start enjoying Unlimited films and great offers

RECOMMEND A FRIEND

Unlimit ed: How t o apply in person

Unlimited members can get free months of membership when they recommend Unlimited to their friends!

Step 1

Unlimit ed: How t o apply online Step 1 Make sure you have your bank details and a recent passport photo Step 2 Complete the easy application process and use your temporary pass straight away Step 3 We will post your Unlimited card to you Step 4

Visit one of our Cineworld cinemas Step 2 Find a member of staff or use a sign up tablet in cinema Step 3 Complete the easy application process and use your temporary pass to start enjoying Unlimited movies Step 4 Start enjoying Unlimited and related offers We are delight ed t o t eam up wit h Cineworld St evenage t o offer you t he chance t o win five pairs of 2D t icket s t o any film (subject t o availabilit y).

To ent er simply follow and like our Facebook page @st evenage magazine and ent er our compet it ion when post ed asking who you would t ake wit h you.

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Ashr idge Est at e

# St evenage August 2019

PROPERTY

The unique guide to property news in #Stevenage

#STEVENAGE PROPERTY: THE INTERACTIVE WAY TO VIEW YOUR AGENT

DIRECT LINKS TO WEBSITES, EM AILS, VIDEO AND PROPERTY DETAILS

# PROPERTY STEVENAGE Let 's f ace it - w e live in a digit al w or ld - w h en

t h e agen t s w h o ar e act in g on beh alf of bu yer s,

w as t h e last t im e you u sed pr in t t o t r y an d bu y

seller s, lan dlor ds an d t h ose look in g t o r en t .

or sell a h ou se or t o look f or a pr oper t y t o r en t .

In t h ese pages you w ill f in d live lin k s st r aigh t

Th e on lin e w or ld allow s f or qu ick an d easy

t o t h e agen t s - so h it t h eir w ebsit es n ow , em ail

con n ect ion t o all h ou ses f or sale or r en t , w it h

t h em or ar r an ge a visit - all f r om t h e com f or t

f u ll f act s at you r f in ger t ips an d in st an t lin k s t o

of you r ow n ph on e.

101 High St r eet , St even age

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Tel 01438 231200 m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k

TLC est at es, 4 Bak er St r eet , St even age

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Tel 01438 219282 let t in gs@t lcest at es.co.u k

61-63 High St r eet ,

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St even age Tel 01438 316846 w w w.pu t t er ills.co.u k

86 High St r eet ,

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St even age Tel 01438 728444 h om esan dm or t gages.co.u k

A-Top Pr oper t y Let t in gs, 1 Dr aper s Way, St even age

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Tel 01438 369173 con t act @a-t oplet t in g.co.u k

# PROPERTY STEVENAGE 24 M ar k et Place St even age

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Tel 01438 720100 geof f r eym at t h ew.co.u k

19 M ar k et Place,

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St even age Tel 01438 312312 st even age@w r igh t sof .com

Ow n Hom es, 2 M iddle Row , St even age

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Tel 01438 367753 sales@ow n -h om es.com

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Call 0800 0248 914

8 M ar k et Place, St even age

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Tel 01438 728444 st even age@con n ells.co.u k

74 High St r eet , St even age

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Tel 01438 870673 en qu ir ies@agen t h ybr id .co.u k

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Agent Hybrid falls bet ween t radit ional and online est at e agency. Our aim is t o deliver a personal, one-t o-one est at e agency experience, whilst delivering a service of excellence.

ht t ps://my.mat t erport .com/show/ ?m=GCbcjmCyYn

Click on t he image of our Monument Court propert y (above) and t ake a walk t hrough using t he lat est Agent Hybrid Technology

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Our marketing packages are inclusive of: - Professional photography - Extensive Online Advertisement - 3D Floor plans - Local High Street Office - Accompanied Viewings and Open House Agent Hybrid offer two fee options and both include a full estate agency service.

OPTION 1: £1150 upfront, nothing to pay on completion.

Add £150 for a walk through tour.

OPTION 2: 0.95% of the sale price, payable on sale completion, no sale no fee. Walk through tour included.

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74 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 870673 w w w.agen t h ybr id.co.u k

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Placing the focus our customers Text

Hom e an d M or t gages St even age, 86 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 728444

em ail st even age@h om esan dm or t gages.co.u k

Homes and Mortgages Estate Agents are ready and waiting to help the Stevenage community with all its property needs, be it buying, selling or renting, Homes and Mortgages are committed to providing great value customer service for all our clients.

Situated in the heart of the historic Old Town and set over three floors, each department provides a professional, welcoming and comfortable environment for all of our customers. We have a team of 9 full time, experienced Sales and Lettings staff on hand to deal with any property enquiry.

W hat 's new? The rebranded branch and heavy investment in IT has set Homes and Mortgages up to stand out in 2017 and for the future. Our experienced and dedicated staff all share the same view in providing a fantastic customer experience and are heavily focused on the importance of transparency between ourselves and our customers.

The IT software is excellent at allowing vendors and Landlords 24/7 access to information regarding their property. At the click of a button, vendors can see feedback, current interest from web portals and can track the progress of a sale online. Likewise, Landlords have the option to view property maintenance schedules and access statements. mailt o:st evenage@homesand mort gages.co.uk

Click on t h e im ages an d lin k dir ect ly t o t h eir det ails on lin e

Dealing with all property needs

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Hom e an d M or t gages St even age, 86 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 728444

em ail st even age@h om esan dm or t gages.co.u k

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Placing the focus on our customers Text

Hom e an d M or t gages St even age, 86 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 728444

em ail st even age@h om esan dm or t gages.co.u k

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For a top service Text

rely on A-TOP A-Top Pr oper t y Let t in gs, 1 Dr aper s Way, St even age Tel 01438 369173

em ail con t act @a-t oplet t in g.co.u k

If you are looking for a t eam t hat you can t rust t o deliver t ime aft er t ime t hen A-Top Propert y Let t ings in Drapers Way, St evenage is t he one for you.

A-Top, which is owned by founder Mervyn Terret t , has gained an impressive reput at ion as t he go-t o agent for all your propert y needs whet her you are looking t o rent or are a landlord seeking t enant s. W it h a combined market experience of more t han 60 years, t he st aff at A-Top are t he most knowledgeable in t he business and along wit h advice on t he rent al market , t hey can also provide informat ion which allows cust omers t o make t he most informed choice possible. Over t he past 33 years t he t eam lead by Mervyn has seen t he local market undergo a wide number of changes, but t hrough t hem all A-Top and it s experienced st aff have always given t he very best and most informed service.

There have been plent y of changes which have alt ered t he let t ings landscape in St evenage. Through t hem all however t he reliabilit y of A-Top Propert y Let t ings has remained a const ant and t heir port folio of excellent landlords has increased dramat ically.

Comment ing on t he t eam Mervyn said: ?W hat once was a rarit y in t he UK i.e. rent ing, is now so common as a source of income/ invest ment for landlords and of mobilit y for professional working t enant s.

We are delight ed t o be able t o use our expert ise t o help bot h t enant s and landlords.?

For furt her det ails cont act 01438 369173 or email cont act @a-t oplet t ing.co.uk

For a top service Text

rely on A-TOP A-Top Pr oper t y Let t in gs, 1 Dr aper s Way, St even age Tel 01438 369173

em ail con t act @a-t oplet t in g.co.u k

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The independent local estate agent Text

2 M iddle Row , St even age Tel 01438 367753

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St ephen Harris and Michael Not schild est ablished Own Homes in 2008, operat ing as a successful, independent local St evenage est at e agent .

Here at Own Homes, we understand that each property and sale is individual and therefore tailor our service to suit your specific requirements.

We have prominent offices ideally situated in the heart of Stevenage Old Town. One in Middle Row covering lettings and mortgages and one on the High Street to deal with sales.

Our recent expansion and our double fronted office allows us the scope and ability to serve Stevenage and the surrounding residential areas.

Passionate in all we do, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of service.

Selling and letting a property can be a stressful time, which is why we go the extra mile to make your involvement with us as enjoyable and professional as possible.

Working in Hertfordshire for the past 10 years has enabled Own Homes to develop a comprehensive understanding of residential property in the local areas of Stevenage, Hitchin and surrounds.

We have an established an experienced team, on hand to work with you throughout the selling and buying process, ensuring personal contact is maintained from start to finish.

We use a number of marketing styles to ensure your property, whether you are selling or letting, gains maximum exposure and a smooth efficient sale. This includes advertising in local newspapers and glossy magazines, as well as Internet marketing. Our double fronted office also allows people to see

our properties in both windows.

To arrange a free valuation, or to find out more about Own Homes and the services we provide, simply call 01438 367753 or email sales@own-homes.com. You can also visit our office.

Awards In recognition of our outstanding service, we've been awarded two gold winner awards by the British Property Awards, one for being the top Estate Agent in Stevenage and another for the top Estate Agent in the South East. We're very proud of these awards as the Own Homes team has worked tirelessly to provide industry leading property services in and around the area.

Award winners!

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2 M iddle Row , St even age Tel 01438 367753 w w w.ow n -h om es.com

Putterills Stevenage - talk to the professionals Text

61-63 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 316846

Founded by Tony Putterill in 1992, with our first office in Welwyn Garden City, Putterills are now celebrating 26 years of serving the Hertfordshire community.

We have grown from our original branch in Welwyn Garden City to having offices in Knebworth, Hitchin, Stevenage Old Town and St Albans, as well as a partner office in London?s Mayfair. Each of our sales offices are overseen by a Director who is actively involved in the day to day running; this helps to ensure that we are providing the highest possible levels of advice and service. All of these offices are prominently located to ensure all properties receive the best possible exposure.

In addition to our network of sales offices, we have an award winning Land and New Homes department.

Our specialists help landowners maximise the development opportunities for usually previously

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used land known as Brownfield, as the country struggles for space for new homes. We have always believed that our task is to provide our clients with the best, up to the minute, expert advice when dealing with what is usually their greatest asset.

Our clients have a wide range of emotions and circumstances and we help guide less experienced first time buyers, provide yield information and advice to investment buyers, schooling information to families, hold the hands of those who have not moved for many years and deal sensitively and professionally with those. Over the last few years, we are proud to have won a number of national awards which we believe underline our philosophy of being Trusted Property Experts.

2017 saw Tony Putterill retire and hand the reins of the company over to Mark Shearing. Mark has been in agency in Hertfordshire since 1982

and joined Putterills in 1993. As the company moves into a new era with changing markets, advances in property marketing and the use of technology, our aim is simple - to keep at the absolute forefront of full service Estate Agency and to continue the exceptional levels of service and advice that our clients have been able to rely on over the last 26 years.

Our primary purpose has always been to provide an outstanding customer experience and our core values continue to represent this: EXCEPTIONAL ? we are passionate about delivering excellence.

RESPECT ? we respect and value those we work with, both our colleagues and our customers.

EXPERTISE ? we deliver outstanding skills and knowledge in all we do.

TRUST ? we act with honesty and integrity at all times.

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61-63 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 316846

Putterills are delighted to report that despite stories that the property market is sluggish, year to date they are a staggering 50% ahead in sales than this time last year!

Managing Director Mark Shearing says ?Many buyers and sellers believe that the property market is slow at the moment, but our results to date show this is clearly not the case. The market has indeed been tough over the last year or so, but there are always people that need to move. Having over 25 years?experience in Hertfordshire gives us a huge advantage in tougher markets and enables us to adapt to a good old fashioned estate agency service, like talking to people, finding out their real moving requirements and matching them with like-minded sellers, something many online agencies or even younger firms either cannot do, or seem to have forgotten how to do.

Prices have softened a little, so realistic pricing is essential, but equally you are likely to end up paying a little less for your next home, so it all balances out in the end.

We are also encouraged by the numbers of first-time buyers coming back into the market place, as low interest rates remain it is often cheaper to buy than to waste money

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renting.

Hertfordshire enjoys almost full employment with a wide diversity of employers, so whilst we are close enough to London to have many commuters living in the county, we are not dependant on London buyers.

Our sales of new homes have risen significantly this year, with our specialist New Homes Department now handling 20 sites offering over 200 homes for sale. Many new homes? buyers are using the Government?s Help to Buy Scheme, which, contrary to most people?s understanding, is NOT just for first-time buyers.

There have been some very notable performances from our branches. Our Hitchin sales office has just had its best sales month EVER! Outstanding results.

Our Welwyn Garden City office has sold more homes in excess of ÂŁ1 million this year than in all of last year, a clear sign of returning buyer confidence in the upper market.

Our Stevenage office has had a stunning month for listing new properties to sell and this improved choice has encouraged more buyers to commit.

St Albans office has had its best month this year for both sales and new instructions and we are actively looking for additional staff to meet

demand here.

In Knebworth, again, they are ahead of last year as many people want to take advantage of this thriving village?s excellent facilities - including its own station.

The conveyancing process remains painfully slow, with some chains taking many months to get to the point of exchange. Sales progression and dealing with issues during the conveyancing period is one of the most important and time-consuming jobs an estate agent carries out.

Having experience and being well-known by local surveyors and solicitors is paramount and something Putterills are professionals at.

Choosing an estate agent who does not offer this service, or has a remote centre dealing with all their cases, is a false economy and can cause considerable stress and frustration at what can be an already difficult time.

In summary, the market is fine, with a good level of buyers, but they need to be encouraged and looked after, so at this time, more than ever, choosing the right agent to handle your transaction is paramount and we hope that our selling success this year speaks for itself!!!

Click h er e f or you r in stText an t on lin e valu at ion

Shepherding you home the life of an estate agent Text

61-63 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 316846

w w w.pu t t er ills.co.u k

W ho'd Be An Est at e Agent ?

Duncan Price of Put t erills explains what being an est at e agent really means.

Some people t hink our job is easy. They t hink t hat propert y just sells it self. That a buyer appears from nowhere, loves a house or flat and agrees t o buy it - just like t hat . Some t hink t he sale t hen speeds effort lessly t o a sat isfact ory conclusion and wit hout any ot her assist ance. Let me t ell you it doesn't work like t hat well not for most of t he t ime anyway.

A 'proper' est at e agent 's job is not t o sell houses; rat her it is t o move people. Moving anyt hing is oft en complicat ed, can be fraught wit h difficult y and have unforeseen consequences. Just t hink about moving t win six-year-olds singlehandedly from home t o school every morning, or moving a cent ral heat ing boiler, or moving 250,000 t ons

of crude oil half way round t he world, or moving a herd of sheep from one hillside t o anot her. It all t akes planning, pat ience, knowhow, experience and resolve. It means expect ing t he unexpect ed, problem solving and, when ot her people are involved, t he highest level of t act and diplomacy.

I don't know about you, but if I want ed t o move a herd of sheep I would hire a shepherd.

And, in a way, t hat 's what est at e agent s are. We arrange for somet hing wit h lot s of moving part s - each wit h a mind of it s own - t o end up where it should be on t he dat e it is supposed t o be t here.

Est at e agent s shepherd people, cont ract s, surveys, mort gages, removals, wit hdrawals,

gazundering, false st art s, disappoint ment s, t he unforeseen and t riumphs from one place t o anot her.

Somet imes it 's a smoot h process. But all t oo oft en it isn't . You may not t hink it 's wort h paying for a shepherd at t he beginning. But believe me, at t he end, when it has been sheet ing down wit h rain all day, t he quad bike has broken down, a fox snat ched a lamb and a large group of unreasonable ewes made a long break for freedom you will t hink a shepherd is wort h every penny.

W hy are we est at e agent s? We do it because we enjoy being shepherds. Some may t hink t hat selling houses is not much of a job, and in many ways t hey might be correct . But moving people and families on t o t he next st age of t heir lives and making it as seamless and st ress-free as possible is a job we enjoy and t hink is well wort h doing.

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Portfolio - for serviced apartments in #Herts Text

Tel 0800 0248 914

Booking a holiday is possibly one of the greatest feelings and counting down the days when you?re having an awful day at work or are just desperate to get away from home can seem like a joy, but there can be a downside. Hotels. While some people may see staying in a hotel like a dream, it can actually be a nightmare if you?ll be staying there for a long time, especially if on a business trip or secondment. With that said, here are the top reasons to stop staying in hotels for your business travel trips.

Limit ed Wardrobe Space Packing for a holiday or for a business trip puts you on one of two teams, you?re either naturally gifted and find it a breeze or it?s the worst part of the trip for you, but one thing unites these two camps ? limited hotel space.

If you love to pack an outfit for every possible occasion you will know how difficult it can be to cram your clothes into tiny hotel wardrobes, or even worse live out of a case. Staying in a serviced apartment fixes this and means you have a home away from home and all the storage you could need.

You feel like you?re t rapped Walking into a hotel room can at first glance feel wonderful, everything is conveniently within arm?s reach and for the first day you love it. Then the second day comes and the third day and by the fourth you feel like you almost can?t breathe.

Hotels just aren?t feasible for long periods of time or for anyone who likes a sense of space, after all, who wants to feel trapped by the same four walls for the entire of their trip?

Privacy? W hat privacy?

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Hotels may seem like a good idea for a romantic night away, but if you?re travelling with family or small children or even colleagues, then all sense of privacy goes straight out of the window when you?re all sharing a room just feet away from each other.

Forget staring dreamily into each other?s eyes when you wake up, you?ll probably be staring at a toddler who immediately wants to play or be woken by another family member?s snoring and that?s not even mentioning the housekeeper who always turns up at the most inconvenient times!

Serviced apartments let you have time to yourself no matter how many you have brought along for the trip, so you can sleep well and feel like you have privacy if you are all loved up.

Money money money!

Straight to the point hotels aren?t cheap.

Even for the savviest of spenders and the keenest bargin hunters, you may think booking your hotel means it?s all done, dusted and paid for but you will undoubtedly end up incurring extra fees.

Whether you give in to the lure of room-service with its extortionate service charges, or buy a film to keep energetic youngsters occupied, your bill when you check out can hit you like a smack in the face and leave you wanting a more affordable option.

Meals on wheels Speaking of room-service, while this may seem like a decadent treat on the first night, by the time you come back from a long day of exploring and are tired, it is so easy to have a burger brought straight to door along with its crazily hiked-up price and extra delivery charges. This can not only wreak havoc on your bank account,

but also on your waist-line and by the time you leave, the only thing that will be thinner is your wallet.

Serviced apartments absolutely win here, as having a fully equipped kitchen at your fingertips means it?s easy to rustle up something quick and delicious that will probably be healthier for you and will also save you money! If you want some tips on how to eat well when working away from home check out next weeks blog post, or check out our apartments to find out why it?s time to say goodbye to hotel hell and wake up to apartment heaven!

Though staying in a hotel may seem like the obvious option at first, there?s no denying that a serviced apartment brings with it a number of benefits that a hotel just can?t offer.

At Portfolio Serviced Apartments we specialise in providing luxury serviced apartments and temporary homes for corporate and business travellers. We offer a secure spacious base which can become a home from home for longer staying guests. Portfolio Apartments are located throughout all of Hertfordshire including Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, St. Albans and Hatfield, whilst through our partners we have access to over 90,000 luxury apartments across the globe.

So whether it?s a placement in St Albans or a secondment in San Francisco, Portfolio is consistently the favoured choice for travelling professionals.

For more information,get in touch. Our team at Portfolio looks forward to helping you soon.

Give our friendly team a call on 0800 024 8914 (Mon ? Fri 9-6pm) or visit our website to view our modern serviced apartments.

101 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 231200 w w w.m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k pr oper t y@m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k

Partners with vast knowledge of the local area Text

Mark Simon Estates is an established Estate Agency situated at: 101 High Street, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3HR. Here at MarkSimon Estates, we have over 40 years combined experience of Estate Agency within Stevenage and its surrounds.

Our Partners Mark Sollis & Simon Jacob both grew up in Stevenage and therefore have a vast knowledge of the area and its surrounds.

This in itself, is proving an invaluable asset to prospective Vendors and Purchasers seeking a property which meets both their needs and expectations in a home.

?To Mark, Many t hanks for all your hard work selling my house for us in Jessop Road. You went t he ext ra mile in so many ways. You always kept me well informed and I knew I could t rust you t o carry out everyt hing you promised.?

From H.

?To MarkSimon Est at es & your t eam, Thank you for being t here t o help us. ?

Mr K & Miss T

Click here for MarkSimon Twitter

?To Mike and everyone at MarkSimon Est at es, A Big t hank you for all your help selling our house, Best wishes.?

The W ?s

Click here for MarkSimon Facebook

The agent with more than 18 years experience Text

TLC est at es, 4 Bak er St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 219282

em ail let t in gs@t lcest at es.co.u k

TLC est at es is sit uat ed in t he delight ful set t ing of St evenage Old Town.

We pride ourselves on t he personal and professional services we offer t o all landlords and t enant s alike We offer very compet it ive rat es we are one of t he very few let t ing agent s only left in t he t own . W it h over 19 years of experience in t he St evenage market we are sure t o offer you t he best of services from under one roof.

Renowned for our open and honest approach ,TLC will give you t he full informat ion on t he market .

Many of our landlords and t enant s have been wit h us since we opened in 2000 and we are known for our close work wit h bot h.

Pop int o our Baker St reet off ice or give us a call and find out how TLC can help wit h your let t ings needs.

The Connells team that you can trust Text

8 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 318080

w w w.con n ells.co.u k

Connells Estate Agents in Stevenage are located in the Town Centre along Market Place, and within walking distance of the Train Station.

We would love to help you sell or rent your home or find a property to rent or buy in and around the Stevenage area, as well as the villiages Walkern, Knebworth, Little & Great Wymondley, Gravely & Aston.

Connells Estate Agents in Stevenage are managed by Gary Young. Gary has had a successful estate agency career over the last 20 years. Gary is supported by Callum Souter who is the Sales Executive with four years experience behind him, Oz Ansari who is the branch valuer, and Melanie Retberg the Branch Administrator.

Our in-house Mortgage Consultant Juliet Twining, is fully trained and qualified to advise you on the right mortgage product to suit your needs.

Connells Lettings would love to help you rent your property.

Lettings Manager Patricia Bowden has 10 year's experience within the Lettings industry and is assisted by Trainee Lettings Negotiator Ben Brooks. With their combined experience and extensive knowledge of the area and rental market, are always happy to offer their assistance to new and experienced buy to let investors and first time landlords

alike.

Whether you are looking to sell or rent your property, we offer FREE market appraisals. Please feel free to pop into the branch or call 01438 318080 (Sales) or 01438 318258 (Lettings).

We offer a range of property related services all under one roof.

In house Mortgage Consultant.

Premium Marketing Packages available including Floorplans, Professional Photography, audio tours, and premium listings on Rightmove & Zoopla We have pioneered a dedicated service called The Property Finder

- You tell us what you are looking for and we will find it We know how the Stevenage market moves - our staff are local and extremely knowledgeable.

Their in-depth and up to date local experience.

Over 10 years?worth of experience and knowledge within the local market.

A professional team providing services to suit all your needs including property management, accounts and high quality administration.

We accompany all viewings, we believe it is really important, we?ve been trained to do it so you get really good feedback.

Making the Wrights choice

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19 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 312312

Wrights is proud to be an independent estate agency with our own unique values and ethos.

We have been in business in Hertfordshire for over 30 years and our experience in helping our customers to buy, sell or rent their properties is second to none. Over the years we have built a professional and enthusiastic team and we now have three branches based in the towns of Hatfield, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City.

Wrights was founded in 1983 by Melvin Wright. Melvin was an experienced estate agent who began his career working for W.H.Lee based in the village of Ware and then moved on to their Stevenage office. As he progressed in his career Melvin was asked if he would open another branch of W.H.Lee in Harlow. Whilst pondering this decision Melvin happened to see that a shop unit in Hatfield was for sale and this made up his mind ? he would start his own estate agency! He picked up the phone to the agent and said he wanted to buy the unit, and so

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Wrights Estate Agency was born on the 15th August 1983.

Due to Melvin and his team?s hard work and determination Wrights Estate Agency really took off in Hatfield. Just 10 years after Wrights first opened its doors in Hatfield Melvin made the decision to open another branch in the lovely town of Welwyn Garden City. And so in 1993 Wrights of Welwyn Garden City was founded.

As the Wrights team had such a wealth of knowledge about the Hertfordshire housing market it made sense to open another branch, and because Melvin had previously worked in Stevenage he decided to based his next office in this lively town. Wrights were the first independent estate agents based in the town centre and where we led others followed - it soon became a prime location for a number of estate agencies.

Independent agency, independent values When asked just what makes Wrights so successful we tell

people that it is our independent values and experience. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, our knowledge and our honesty.

We really care about our customers and put them at the heart of everything we do.

Our success is also built on great teamwork and our family values extend to the whole of the Wrights team. We make our offices a welcoming place to work and this is evidenced by the fact that we have team members who have been with us for over 20 years!

So now you know our history let us help you plan your future in the property market. Whether you are looking to buy, sell or rent get in touch with any of our three branches and we will be happy to help you.

19 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 312312 h t t ps:/ / w w w.w r igh t sof .com / br an ch / st even age/

Geoffrey Matthew property innovators Text

24 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 720100

w w w.geof f r eym at t h ew.co.u k

Geoffrey Mat t hew Est at es are a propert y business wit h offices in Harlow, St evenage and Great Ashby t hat specialise in t he sales and let t ing of resident ial propert y.

Over 25 years of experience in propert y and finance give us an unparalleled insight t o t he needs and desires of sellers, purchasers, landlords and t enant s alike.

W it h a dedicat ed, hardworking, innovat ive forward-t hinking t eam t hat use modern met hods and good old-fashioned cust omer service, we offer a unique bespoke service t ailored t o you.

Tel 01438 720100 w w w.geof f r eym at t h ew.co.u k